President Carolyn Graves called the August work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:07 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Michelle Jones and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell

Communications
President Graves read an invitation from the Berrien County Intermediate School District to attend a kick-off celebration scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, 2000, for the proposed Vocational Education special election.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent Mark Giffels reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the resolutions for Indicating the Purpose of Election, Setting Matters to be Voted Upon and Appointment of Election Inspectors for the BHAS special bond election scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2000, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

Assistant Superintendent Giffels reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the resolutions to Call the Berrien County Intermediate School District Special Vocational Education Election scheduled for September 19, 2000, Indicating the Purpose of Election, Setting Matters to be Voted Upon and Appointment of Election Inspectors as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

Instruction
As an informational item, Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison presented the 1999-2000 Benton Harbor Area Schools Annual District Report. Points of pride for BHAS included improved MEAP scores, improved graduation rates and a core curriculum fully aligned with state assessment tests, state core standards and benchmarks in grades K-12. Every classroom in the District has at least one desktop computer wired for local and wide-area computer use and Internet and e-mail access. Continuous Progress reading initiative will be expanded to all elementary schools during the 2000-2001 school year. The BHHS Class of 2000 was the first to graduate under the new Career Pathway graduation requirements.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the elimination of the Drivers' Education program. Given the District's financial situation, the administration has been reviewing instructional programs for their costs and efficiencies of operation.

The State of Michigan's contribution for supporting drivers' education has been decreasing over the last several years and is the major reason most high schools in the area have stopped offering the course. Certified drivers' education teachers are extremely scarce and Central Michigan University is the only school in the state to offer drivers' education classes for teachers.

Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the increase of athletic ticket prices. Acting Athletic Director John Brown was present to answer any questions regarding the proposed $1.00 increase that would bring the BHAS athletic ticket door price to $4.00.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve:

• Recommendation for Employment of Athletic Director
• Employment of Professional Teaching Staff (Anticipated)
• Termination of Professional Teaching Staff
• Professional Teaching Staff Resigning
• Recommendation for Second Year Probation
• Recommendation for Third Year Probation
• Recommendation for Fourth Year Probation
• Recommendation for Tenure
• Other

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel the amending of the superintendent's evaluation instrument.

• The 2000-2001 Uniform Code of Discipline and Students' Rights and Responsibilities handbooks are in the process of being revised.
• August 14-17, 2000 - 7^th grade orientation at all junior highs
• August 21-22, 2000 - BHHS freshmen orientation
• BHAS bond information brochures were mailed to District parents and the information is also available on District website.

Board Comments
President Graves informed Board Trustees that the 2000-2001 Board of Education Committees' list is complete and would be distributed in their Friday informational packet.

Trustee Smith gave praise to the excellent Nikki Harris Coming Home concert held on Sunday, July 30, 2000.

Trustees extended their condolences to the Mitchell family (Dwight P. and Stephen) for the loss of their father, Don Mitchell.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel the amending of the superintendent's evaluation instrument.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 6:55 p.m.

There being no further business, the August work session was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.